Conversation Map^® Success Stories

Clients enjoy learning practical information that supports their efforts to "live with diabetes in the real world": Conversation Maps are a wonderful tool which allow educators to provide meaningful instruction to clients in a useful practical learning environment.

I love the immediate feedback that comes from using the Maps. Once a client "gets" the concept you can see it right away!

The Conversation Map [education tools] marked a before and after in the diabetes health education at Mary's Center. The Hispanic community we serve feel more confortable participating in the health education process, and the fact that is visual and plenty in colors provoke the conversation and at the same time they can share experience, adherence to the treatment, nutrition, and physical activity. Excellent tool.

I had the pleasure of facilitating 20 minute sessions of myth or fact cards at the Pittsburgh ADA Expo. The participants were engaged and actively involved in the "conversations". The support that the conversations provided to the group members was tremendous. Positive feedback was received from the participants about the benefit of the sessions. The day was an extremely positive experience and a great way to showcase the Conversation Map [education tools] to the public!

My story I have enjoyed the Conversation Map activity with my clients because the Map is combined with bright colors and visual techniques. On the Map which stands out and facilitates learning in the group are the different ethic groups being displayed on the Map, makes the learning environment interesting and fun. It stimulates thinking and interaction between the clients and the educators. These patient friendly tools catches the clients' attention and encourages clients to become active listeners. This promotes them to take better care of themselves and helps to self manage their diabetes.

Clients and their families appear to enjoy sitting around the Conversation Map [education tool] and discussing among themselves what they view before class starts. The Map is a great opener for the topic of the class. I also notice that the Map brings cohesiveness to the class members as its similar to sitting around a kitchen table for talk. The traditional educator/student classroom set-up often fosters individual learning as opposed to shared knowlege. Glad we have this tool!

Hi. I want to tell you about an opportunity I had to use the Maps in a unique way. Earlier this month I was the educator nurse for a diabetes children's day camp. The children at the camp were ages 4 - 12. They came to the classroom each day in groups of about 20 and of similar ages. Yes, the Conversation Map [education tools] are for smaller groups of older students, but I studied the Maps and concepts and turned the whole classroom into a Map with all hands on activities. We formed small groups of 6 or 7 children and they "visited" each section of the map (room), where a facilitator welcomed them and engaged them in an age appropriate game or activity that mirrored the map. For example, on map #1, there is a section with cards identifying myths vs. facts. I created a road on the floor and placed 2 race cars on it. One was labeled Wrong Way Rob, and the other was labeled Right Way Rick. The kids took turns drawing the myth/fact cards out of a pile and reading them. With each card, the kids rolled the appropriate car and Rick got closer to his checkered flag, or Rob got closer to his dead end. The small groups "travelled" (rotated) every 10 minutes in order to experience as much as possible from the Map. We had 3 days of education at the camp, so I used Maps 1, 2 and 3. Of course we were constantly adjusting the material to the age group, but I am amazed at how much information kids can grasp. Your concepts are so clear and easy to share with all ages. Hope our experience is helpful to you and to others. We sure enjoyed it. Sarah Kay Rhodes, RN

We have been working with the Conversation Map® education tools, and found the need to incorporate more detail in some areas, espeically nutrition (CHO counting, label reading, fat control for lipids/ weight, etc). The Maps have been great in opening up thought provoking discussions in many areas. We are currently working on strategies to allow ample time for conversation, yet alot adequate time for covering some "need to know" information.